History Main / TwilightOfTheOldWest

In stories set during the TwilightOfTheOldWest, there will still be many elements of the WildWest present like cowboys, gunfighters, outlaws, bank and train robberies, saloons, and cattle drives but, as you get deeper into the 20th century, they'll gradually become less common. Probably the most noticeable is the shift away from horses as a mode of transportation in favor of automobiles. The replacement of gas and oil lights in favor of electricity follows close behind as a sign of change as do the appearances of new inventions like telephones, motion pictures, phonographs, and airplanes.

* ''TheAdventuresOfBriscoCountyJr'' takes place in 1893, as the old ways are changing.

* ''TheWildBunch'' is set in 1913 when the film's characters, a gang of aging outlaws, have clearly lived past their time. Electricity and automobiles are present as are such "modern" weapons like [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1911 Colt M1911 handguns]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1903_Springfield_rifle M1903 Springfield rifles]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_1897#Military_use Winchester Model 1897 shotguns]] and an M1917 machine gun which underscore the mechanized brutality of the new era.

* ''TheWildBunch'' is set in 1913 when the film's characters, a gang of aging outlaws, have clearly lived past their time. Electricity and automobiles are present as are such "modern" weapons like .45 automatics, bolt action rifles, pump shotguns, and M1917 machine guns which underscore the mechanized brutality of the new era.

In stories set during the TwilightOfTheOldWest, there will still be many elements of the WildWest present like cowboys, gunfighters, outlaws, bank and train robberies, saloons, and cattle drives but, as you get deeper into the 20th century, they'll gradually disappear. Probably the most noticeable is the shift away from horses as a mode of transportation in favor of automobiles. The replacement of gas and oil lights in favor of electricity follows close behind as a sign of change as do the appearances of new inventions like telephones, motion pictures, phonographs, and airplanes.

The TwilightOfTheOldWest is a trope invoked by stories depicting the changes that took place in the Western North America and Mexico during the closing days of the WildWest and the beginning days of the NewOldWest. This is roughly the period between 1890 (the year the U.S. Census Bureau announced the closing of the frontier and the Wounded Knee Massacre occurred thereby marking the end of the "Indian Wars") and 1920 (which marked the official end of the Mexican Revolution when guerilla/bandit forces operated along the US/Mexican border).

The TwilightOfTheOldWest is a trope invoked by stories depicting the changes that took place in the Western United States (along with Western Canada and Mexico) during the closing days of the WildWest and the beginning days of the NewOldWest. This is roughly the period between 1890 (the year the U.S. Census Bureau announced the closing of the frontier and the Wounded Knee Massacre occurred thereby marking the end of the "Indian Wars") and 1920 (which marked the official end of the Mexican Revolution when guerilla/bandit forces operated along the US/Mexican border).

Sub-trope of TheWestern and overlaps with the late stage of the WildWest and the beginning of the NewOldWest.

* Though still set squarely in the Old West, ''TheLastSamurai'' shows a time when - for some people, at least - that time was already starting to die out. The hero, no longer needed as an Indian fighter in his own land, is offered employment oversees fighting a different kind of "savage".

* Though still set squarely in the Old West, ''Film/TheLastSamurai'' shows a time when - for some people, at least - that time was already starting to die out. The hero, no longer needed as an Indian fighter in his own land, is offered employment oversees fighting a different kind of "savage".

* ''Film/RideTheHighCountry'' involves two aging ex-lawman hired to guard a shipment of gold being transported out of the Sierra in early 20th century California.

* ''Film/RideTheHighCounty'' involves two aging ex-lawman hired to guard a shipment of gold being transported out of the Sierra in early 20th century California.

* In ''Film/{{Sunset}}'', which is set in 1920s Hollywood, Wyatt Earp is watching his life being mythologised while he is still alive.

* In ''Film/{{Sunset}}'', Wyatt Earp is watching his life being mythologised while he is still alive.

* BigJake takes place in 1909. It featured a posse of Texas Rangers chasing outlaws in automobiles but ultimately the bad guys are defeated using old school gunfighting.
* ButchCassidyAndTheSundanceKid is set between the years 1898 and 1908--a time when such "new" inventions like motion pictures are present. The abrupt transition from the WildWest to the Modern Age is illustrated in a cut scene from the movie when Butch and Sundance visit a nickelodeon and see a filmed dramatization of one of their train robberies ... [[{{Foreshadowing}} in which they're shot to death]].
* McCabeAndMrsMiller may, upon first glance, appear to take place early in the era of the WildWest. However, the appearance of a vacuum cleaner and {{William McKinley}} presidential posters indicate it's actually around 1900 and times are changing.

* In TheShootist, JohnWayne plays a dying gunfighter in the fast-changing West of 1901.
* TheWildBunch is set in 1913 when the film's characters, a gang of aging outlaws, have clearly lived past their time. Electricity and automobiles are present as are such "modern" weapons like .45 automatics, bolt action rifles, pump shotguns, and M1917 machine guns which underscore the mechanized brutality of the new era.

In stories set during the TwilightOfTheOldWest, there will still be many elements of the WildWest present like cowboys, gunfighters, outlaws, bank and train robberies, saloons, and cattle drives but, as you get deeper into the 20th century, they'll gradually disappear. Probably the most noticeable is the shift away from horses as a mode of transportation in favor of automobiles. The replacement of gas and oil lights in favor of electricity follows close behind as a sign of change as do the appearances of such new inventions like telephones, motion pictures, phonographs, and airplanes.

While technological changes play a major role, the TwilightOfTheOldWest mainly deals with changes in society and how they affect those who still feel tied to the "old ways" of the WildWest. For example, bringing justice to an area now means criminals are dealt with by sheriffs, police, judges, and jails rather than vigilante justice. Also, [[CattleDrive cattle drives]] become more infrequent and smaller with end of the open range.

* The series ''Outlaws'' starts in 1899 where an outlaw has become a sheriff sent to bring in his old gang. The sheriff tells the gang that the old ways aren't going to work any more. Then a FreakLightningStorm sends them all through time to 1986, where they set up a detective agency and have to adapt to the modern world.

In stories set during the TwilightOfTheOldWest, there will still be many aspects of the WildWest present like cowboys, gunfighters, outlaws, bank and train robberies, saloons, and cattle drives but, as you get deeper into the 20th century, they'll gradually disappear. Probably the most noticeable is the shift away from horses as a mode of transportation in favor of automobiles. The replacement of gas and oil lights in favor of electricity follows close behind as a sign of change as do the appearances of such new inventions like telephones, motion pictures, phonographs, and airplanes.

* McCabeAndMrsMiller may, upon first glance, appear to take place deep in the era of the WildWest. However, the appearance of a vacuum cleaner and {{William McKinley}} presidential posters indicate it's actually around 1900 and times are changing.

Sub-trope of TheWestern and overlaps with the latter stages of the WildWest and the beginning of the NewOldWest.

* ''{{Nichols}}'', a 1970s [[WesternSeries Western] {{Dramedy}} starring JamesGarner, took place in 1914 Arizona and had the title character, a pacifistic sheriff, using cars and motorcycles rather than a horse.

* ''{{Nichols}}'', a 1970s WesternSeries comedy-drama starring JamesGarner, took place in 1914 Arizona and had the title character, a pacifistic sheriff, using cars and motorcycles rather than a horse.

* ''{{Nichols}}'', a 1970s Western comedy-drama starring JamesGarner, took place in 1914 Arizona and had the title character, a pacifistic sheriff, using cars and motorcycles rather than a horse.

TheWestern plus The EndOfAnAge equals the TwilightOfTheOldWest.